London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers

This slim guidebook by London resident and enthusiast Chesher is unlike most books found in a library’s travel section. Readers who have imagined touring the streets of the UK’s capital, even those who live there, will be intrigued by this author’s approach. The book is divided into four parts: how to see modern London through the lens of its Roman history, the symbols and names that give it character, the functional artifacts that create the backdrop of the city, and the natural world of flora, fauna, and rivers that wind their way through the area. At the end of each section is a hand-painted map that encourages readers to take a self-guided tour. What the book lacks in practicality—public transit maps, hotels, restaurants, and more—it makes up for in charm with Fraser’s illustrations, some literary quotes, and hidden details that will allow travelers to approach the book like a scavenger hunt, finding gems along the way.